Mail Satchel

Mail Satchel

Mail Satchel

Orlando (Fla.); ;

Post offices

Letter carriers--United States

A traditional mail satchel worn by mail carriers to deliver their packages. The one shown in the picture was one of the series of leather satchels that were manufactured and used from 1868 until 1974, when they were phased out by the canvas satchels which are currently still in use. The leather satchels are quite durable, lasting up to six years compared to the paltry 18-month lifespan of the canvas satchels. In terms of weight, these leather satchels could hold 35 pounds, with mailmen often carrying two at a time if their route contained a large number of clients. However, many mailmen refrained from carrying two satchels at once in order to swiftly flee from any aggressive dogs whose favorite pastime was to harass the mailmen.

Original color digital image, September 2015: Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Downtown Orlando Post Office, Downtown Orlando, Florida.

ca. 1967

Orlando Remembered Exhibit, Downtown Orlando Post Office, Downtown Orlando, Florida.

Downtown Orlando Post Office Collection, Orlando Remembered Collection, Orlando Collection, Orange County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.

image/jpg

153 KB

1 color digital image

eng

Physical Object

Downtown Orlando Post Office, Downtown Orlando, Florida

Donation

History Teacher

Civics/Government Teacher

Copyright to this resource is held by the Orange County Regional History Center and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.

Tran, Tristan

Cepero, Laura

"Mail satchel." United States Postal Service. https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/letter-carrier-satchel.pdf.

Bucheimer 1967

1 color digital image